Review: Captivating and powerful performances which take you on a roller coaster of a ride

On stage are many well-known faces, Jason Merrells (Casualty, Emmerdale) with Tristan Gemmill (Coronation Street, Casualty), Michael Greco (EastEnders, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier, Doctors), Gary Webster (Minder, Family Affairs), and Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street, Peak Practice). Along side Paul Beech, Samarge Hamilton, Jeffrey Harmer, Mark Heenehan, Kenneth Jay, Paul Lavers, Owen Oldroyd and Adam Phillip Bloom.

When I was young, I watched the old black-and-white film featuring Henry Fonda. I remember thinking that the plot was clever and engaging, so I was curious to see how this team would bring the story to the stage and what they would do with the great narrative and script.

On the hottest, most humid day of the year, twelve jurors are locked in a room, contemplating a murder trial. They have the fate and life of a young delinquent accused of killing his father on their hands. Eleven of the twelve jurors believe it to be an open-and-shut case, but one speaks up to share his doubts. He evaluates the facts logically and eloquently, avoiding getting caught up in the egos and tempers of those who hold more bigoted and close-minded views. Through careful consideration, he encourages them to question preconceived ideas. He is the voice of reason amid frustration, clashing personalities and egos and remains grounded in the facts. There’s a huge dilemma, as the tables turn every which way, inspiring two hours of enigmatic theatre culminating in an emotional climax.